Ashura connects children to the story of Prophet Musa, one of the most exciting in the Quran.
The story
When the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, he found people fasting on the 10th of Muharram. They said it was the day Allah saved Musa and drowned Pharaoh. He said: “We are closer to Musa than you,” and he fasted it and told the Muslims to fast (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004).
The reward
The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting the day of Ashura, he hopes, expiates the sins of the year before (Sahih Muslim 1162). He also said that, if he lived to the next year, he would fast the 9th too (Sahih Muslim 1134).
For children, by age
| Age | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4–7 | Story of Musa and the sea; a special family breakfast or dinner |
| 8–11 | Try a half-day or full fast if healthy and willing |
| 12+ | Fast the 9th and 10th (or 10th and 11th) |
The lesson
When Musa was trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army, he said: “My Lord is with me; He will guide me” (Quran 26:62). Ashura teaches children that Allah opens a way when everything seems impossible.
Teacher’s tip: mark Muharram on a family calendar at the start of the Islamic year. Children who know a special day is coming look forward to it.
Related: Story of Prophet Musa and Islamic months.
